Your Guide to Cleaning Your At-Home Gym Equipment

With gyms getting shut down during the pandemic, many people reverted to building an at-home workout space to remain consistent with their fitness goals. When it comes to gym equipment, cleanliness and upkeep are just as important as putting in the physical work. Did you know that weights have 263 times more bacteria than a toilet seat? That’s why it’s important to keep up your cleaning routine alongside your fitness regime. Below we include tips on how you can start cleaning and caring for your at-home gym equipment. 

3 Step Cleaning Routine for At-Home Gym Equipment 

Here’s an overview of a cleaning schedule for your workout essentials: 

1. Wash your equipment daily with a simple soap and water solution to clean daily dust and dirt build up. 

2. Sanitize and spray down your equipment after each workout to reduce the spread of bacteria and germs. 

3. Disinfect your equipment monthly with strong solutions for a deep clean that eliminates germs. 

How to Clean Your Gym Equipment 

Every piece of fitness equipment deserves its own TLC. Here’s how to clean germs and bacteria off of different pieces of gear.

Cardio Equipment 

Cardio equipment includes stationary bikes, treadmills, stair masters and any other equipment you usually use to get your heart rate pumping. Follow the steps below to ensure you’re putting safety first: 

1. Unplug the machine. 

2. Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water. 

3. Dip a cloth into the soapy water and towel wash all of the non-electrical services including the areas that get the most love—the pedals and seats! 

4. Dry the washed areas with a second, clean cloth. 

5. Finish the cleaning routine by wiping down all surfaces with a disinfecting wipe or solution and let it air dry. 

Our shoes and workout clothing can also carry germs, so make sure you’re cleaning them often to avoid spreading the germs onto your clean equipment. 

Strength Training Equipment 

Strength training equipment includes gear like weights, dumbbells and resistance bands. Here’s a simple 4-step cleaning routine to implement into your strength training regime: 

1. Mix a few drops of dish soap with warm water. 

2. Dip a microfiber cloth into the mixture and wipe down the equipment. 

3. Dry the weights with a separate microfiber towel. 

4. Finish off by wiping them down with the disinfectant solution or wipe and let them air dry. 

For more tips on how to clean different at-home gym equipment along with a DIY cleaning recipe, check out the infographic created by adidas below. Happy cleaning! 

Top Tips for Maintaining a Clean and Organized Garage

The extra space available in the garage can easily become a messy and cluttered storage space. If you're looking to improve the organization and cleanliness of your garage, read on for some helpful tips.

Get Rid of Your Old Stuff

It is essential to get rid of old items to maintain a clutter-free garage. Not only can you improve organization, but you also improve the aesthetic of your garage with this change.

There are several ways to get rid of your old stuff. One way is to rent a dumpster or use a garbage removal service---this is a good option if you have a lot that needs to be thrown out. You can also consider metal recycling services for things like wires and metal scraps. Lastly, you can sell your old items online to make a little extra cash.

Establish a System for Organization

A garage is a place where you can store all kinds of things. You can keep your car, sports equipment, bikes, holiday decor, gardening tools, furniture, and other things that can get cluttered and messy-looking.

The best way to organize a garage is to have a system. Having a place for everything will help you to find the things you need when you need them. The first step in organizing your garage is to identify what you want to store in it to eliminate anything that doesn't fit into your plans for the space. Consider labeled bins or boxes to keep similar items together.

Take an Inventory

Garage organization can be a big task that requires a lot of work. To organize a garage, taking an inventory of what you currently have and what items you need to purchase is essential. It is important to organize your garage into sections and see what you have. Once you complete the inventory, designate an area for each category to provide easy access.

Maximize Wall Space

Maximizing wall space will help organize a garage because it provides you with the space to store your goods. You can also maximize wall space to store your souvenirs with a little creativity. You can also add panels that you can cut and rearrange to fit whatever you need.

Final Thoughts

For many homes, the garage is a multipurpose area. Maintaining a clean and organized garage will improve the functionality of this space and make it easier for you to find the things you need when you need them. Keep these tips in mind as you find an organization system that works for you.

How To Make the Entry to Your Home More Inviting

The entrance to a home is like a smile on someone's face. It is often the first thing you notice about someone's house, and the way it looks can leave a lasting impression. Often, the entry sets the tone for the home's decor and style. Update your entrance to make guests feel welcome.

Upgrade the Door

The door to your home is the focal point of all entries. By updating entry doors, you can completely change the feel of your home.  Replace your traditional front door with one in a different design. Alternately, you can paint the door you have now in a fresh, vibrant hue that will coordinate with your home's exterior while adding a splash of color. Swap out the old hardware with a doorknob, doorbell, or porch mailbox in matching shades or finished metals like polished brass or brushed nickel. Install a stylish suspension lamp or wall sconces on one or both sides of the door.

Enhance the Porch

If you have a porch, overhang, or stoop, give it a fresh coat of paint or thorough scrubbing. Add a cozy glider with comfortable cushions and a side table for snacks or hobbies. Consider installing outdoor shades if the sun shines too brightly at certain times of the day. Attractive all-weather accent rugs, including a sturdy welcome mat, can coordinate with the porch furniture and the home's exterior color to create a balanced and appealing look. Hanging plants or potted shrubs make a nice addition to the corners or near the door.

Brighten the Steps

Concrete steps can be power washed or painted to go with the porch style. You may want to add step lights that come on at night to light the way safely in or out of the house. An attractive handrail made of the same or coordinating substance as the home's exterior, such as vinyl or wood, provides safety along with style. Seasonal accents like floral baskets in the Spring or harvest produce in fall will bring your entry into sharper focus.

Clear the Walkway

Keep the walkway leading to the entrance clear and free of debris, weeds, or overgrown grass. Powerwash or scrub with soapy water designed for a concrete sidewalk or brick pathway leading from the driveway to the porch. You can use decorative ground-level solar lights to illuminate the walkway between the house and the driveway at night. Attractive hardscape designs for concrete or a small vinyl fence or edging for an inlaid brick path helps to emphasize that area. There are many landscaping options to consider for a border along these paths as well.

Give your home a happy new face by remodeling your front entrance. With minimal cost and effort, you can get a brand new look to welcome your visitors.

Common Home Theater Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

Adding a home theater brings the wonder and magic of the movie theater right into your home. However, if you're not careful, you could risk running into issues that can seriously dampen your enjoyment of your setup. Look below to explore common home theater mistakes and how to avoid them.

Getting Insufficient Speakers

Many people think that soundbars alone can give them movie theater-quality audio, but unfortunately, these devices can't replicate the authenticity you get from surround sound systems. A modest receiver and a few small speakers strategically placed about the room can outperform most soundbars. On the other hand, soundbars are a viable alternative to built-in screen audio when speakers aren't available. Make sure you get sufficient speakers for the best home theater experience.

Buying Equipment Before Measuring the Room

You could have your sights set on the most cutting-edge technical wonders that promise stunning visual and sound quality. However, if you don't know the size of the room you're operating with, the equipment you buy might not fit. You won’t get the best experience when you have equipment that doesn’t fit well in your theater room. Every aspect of the space will influence your purchases, so you should fully understand it before picking your equipment.

Disorganized and Chaotic Wiring Setup

Wiring a home theater system can be extensive. You have to get the proper speakers, projects, and lighting. As such, organization is crucial. Have every cable adequately labeled so you don’t lose track of them, and don't be afraid to call in technicians to help when you feel overwhelmed. If you choose to set everything up yourself, learn how to install professional wiring; otherwise, essential components may not work correctly and leave you frustrated.

Having to Buy Everything at Once

While having a budget is essential, especially when dealing with expensive hardware, don't be afraid to splurge on quality. Since your home theater is a long-term investment, it could be wise to pay extra for a high-quality upgrade now, like a fantastic surround sound system, while waiting to add additional equipment. With patience, you can gradually build up to having an innovative cinema room without skimping on fundamentals.

Understanding some of the most common home theater mistakes and how to avoid them can help you create the most satisfactory setup. When you finish, you'll have the ideal place to watch movies, play games, listen to music, and much more.